Elk keypad question, + a couple others

[MikeB]

Hoping to order up my Elk system today.

Two questions:

1 - The Elk manual says they recommend Cat 5 or Cat 6 for the keypads. However, my existing DSC keypads have standard 4-wire alarm cable running to them. Is this sufficient? Will I suffer any limitations?

2 - Looks like Elk has a variety of keypads available, shown here: http://www.elkproducts.com/products/m1/M1_Keypads.htm. Not sure I like the exposed buttons on the ELK-M1KP2. My home is high-tech looking as it is. Anyone have any first-hand opinions? Is there a preferred keypad to go with?

Thanks!

 

[rrockoff]

Hi Mike,

I also only have 4 wires to my ELK-M1. I have two ELK-M1KPB's (one by the front door and one in the master bedroom), and an ELK-M1KP2 with a flush mount kit in the laundry room, as well as an ELK-M1XIN. This makes four RS-485 devices on one bus. Two of the keypads are terminated to define the ends of the bus. Since there are only 4 wires it is next to impossible to daisy chain the wires as you could with a CAT5 cable. I ended up connecting them in more of a parallel manor. Occasionally (once every month or two), my keypads will start beeping, one beep every minute or so. There are no messages in my ELK RP logs, and I am up to date on all firmware, so I suspect it may be due to my quasi-daisy chain with only 4 wires. I will be ordering a ELK-M1DBHR to see if it fixes the issue.

BTW, IMHO, the ELK-M1KPB looks the most high end of all of the keypads. The other keypads just look like typical alarm keypads.
Best of luck,

Rod

 

[Steve]

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder :huh: The M1KP is the original and has the most features (temp sensor and 6 function keys). It only surface mounts. The KPB is identical with a blue display instead of green. The KP2 came next and it both surface and flush mounts. The KP3 is essentially the same as the KP2 with a cover over the keys and it came from the ELk partner Ness down under. There is also the KPAS arming station which fits right in a 1 gang decorator switch plate and is great for simple arming/disarming where you don't need a display screen, etc. The trend lately is blue and thy all have blue displays and/or backlight except the original KP.

Whether you wire with 22/4 or Cat5 the kpd will work exactly the same. Just as mentioned you can't use the DBH hub with 22/4, only Cat5. If you have several keypads and other deices homerun then the retrofit hub DBHR will make things a little simpler for you.

 

[Spanky]

There is a new KP3 which is surface mount with a door. Similiar to the KP2.

 

[Digger]

Hi Mike,

I also only have 4 wires to my ELK-M1. I have two ELK-M1KPB's (one by the front door and one in the master bedroom), and an ELK-M1KP2 with a flush mount kit in the laundry room, as well as an ELK-M1XIN. This makes four RS-485 devices on one bus. Two of the keypads are terminated to define the ends of the bus. Since there are only 4 wires it is next to impossible to daisy chain the wires as you could with a CAT5 cable. I ended up connecting them in more of a parallel manor. Occasionally (once every month or two), my keypads will start beeping, one beep every minute or so. There are no messages in my ELK RP logs, and I am up to date on all firmware, so I suspect it may be due to my quasi-daisy chain with only 4 wires. I will be ordering a ELK-M1DBHR to see if it fixes the issue.

BTW, IMHO, the ELK-M1KPB looks the most high end of all of the keypads. The other keypads just look like typical alarm keypads.
Best of luck,

Rod

I have multiple keypads and expansion modules and all are parallel on the 4 wire bus. If I remember correctly I am up to 3 keypads (one more to install yet), 3 zone expanders, 2 relay boards, one serial module (more to add later) on the 4 wire bus with no problems. Every situation is different but you might want to double check your wiring and terminations. Just a thought.

I also used the retrofit hub to make it easier.

 

[MikeB]

Thanks for the help guys. I ended up ordering the kit that includes the KP2, plus a KP3. The KP just looked a bit 'loud' to me, and I'm not sure the wife would like it in the kitchen. :unsure:

I only have 2 keypads on my DSC, and I believe they are both home run.